Attending school

You must make sure that your child gets a full-time education between the school term after their 5th birthday and the last Friday in June in the school year that they turn 16.

You can send your child to school or educate them yourself. If you do this we need to make sure that they receive suitable tuition.

If your child does not receive the education they need we will offer help, but you can be prosecuted if you don’t meet your legal obligations.

School attendance officers

If you would like to contact a school attendance officer please use the email address below and ensure that you include your child's name, date of birth, home address and school attended.

Email: education.access.engagement@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

Home schooling

Find out about elective home education (home schooling)

What to do if your child won't attend school

If your child is not attending school or is not attending regularly, speak to their school as soon as possible.

Schools work with families to understand the reasons for poor attendance and identify any support a child may need. Support may be available through pastoral teams, attendance staff, special educational needs coordinators (SENCOs), mentors, wellbeing services and family support services.

Speaking to the school early can help prevent attendance problems from getting worse and identify barriers to attendance as soon as possible.

You can also get advice and support if you have concerns about your child's:

  • school attendance
  • emotional wellbeing or anxiety
  • special educational needs or disabilities (SEND)
  • family circumstances that may be affecting attendance

The following services may be able to help:

  • Education Access and Engagement for support with school attendance concerns
  • Children's Social Care for support with family circumstances and wellbeing issues that may be affecting school attendance
  • SENDIASS for information, advice and support about special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

You may also be able to get support from your GP, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), family support organisations, youth services and voluntary sector organisations.

If attendance difficulties are linked to emotional wellbeing, family circumstances or safeguarding concerns, get support as soon as possible. Early support can help professionals work together to develop a plan that supports your child to attend school regularly.

Contact details

Was this page helpful?